Naseem Hamed's Giant movie - Legendary fighter reveals whether Brendan Ingle could have helped him defeat Marco Antonio Barrera

In a gloried career that lasted just over a decade and took in the bulk of the thriving 1990s, Hamed’s quest to become world champion began as a seven-year-old dreamer when he was first taught to box by Brendan Ingle. 

Their partnership brought many successes as Hamed became one of Britain’s best ever boxers racking up numerous impressive wins at featherweight where he reigned as world champion. 

Despite the chemistry that made them one of boxing’s most formidable fighter-trainer combinations, like all relationships, tension existed and it constantly threatened to destroy all the goodwill that had been built up by both men. 

Both strong minded and always fully backing their own beliefs, Hamed’s clashes with Ingle, mostly financial disputes, eventually became too much for both men and each went their separate way in 1998 shortly after Hamed’s dominant points win over Wayne McCullough in New Jersey. 

Hamed and Ingle would never reconcile, and after linking up with Oscar Suarez and Emmanuel Steward, Hamed continued to rule the featherweight division before running into Marco Antonio Barrera in 2001.  

Heavily favoured to beat the legendary Mexican, Hamed was beaten for the only time in his career, and he would fight only once more when outpointing Manuel Calvo the following year. 

Hamed’s career has long been a major talking point within the boxing community with many pondering if the Barrera performance could have looked different with Ingle calling the shots. Despite some believing that to be the case, Hamed disagrees. 

“No, it was nothing to do with Brendan. It was to do with not having the time, not being able to train for eight weeks,” revealed Hamed when speaking to DAZN News ahead of the release of the movie, Giant. 

“Out for over seven months with a broken hand. That fight came up and there was just eight weeks to lose two and a half stone. It was impossible but I did it. That was the consequence. 

“I was weight drained. I was weak. But I still thank God that that happened. I’m still all good.” 

Giant releases in cinemas on January 9  

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